Dentists help their patients take care of their teeth and gums, and they provide solutions for weak, decayed or missing teeth. Becoming a dentist requires graduating from an accredited dental school, and although admission policies vary, most require aspiring dentists to earn a bachelor's degree first. Following dental school, dentists can complete a residency of one to two years to specialize in a particular area. It is during dental school and residencies that dentists learn how to use the tools and equipment needed for patient care.

Equipment

Dentists are trained in the use of dental X-ray machines. Panoramic X-ray machines take images of a patient's entire mouth at one time, while intraoral machines can provide images of a single tooth. Dental lasers can be used to whiten teeth or, in some cases, in lieu of drills. Oral surgery may require the use of a surgical magnifier or microscope. Dentists also learn how to use an autoclave to sterilize their tools.

Tools

Dentists use a variety of both manual and power tools. Dental mirrors allow dentists to see the backs of patients' teeth and those teeth normally hidden by the cheeks. They use probes to explore suspicious areas or to remove debris. Dentists use files and rasps to smooth bones or perform root canals. Scalers remove plaque and tartar. Forceps are used to grip teeth during extractions.

Prosthetic Equipment

The practice of general dentistry, as well as some specialties, such as prosthodontics, can require the replacement of missing teeth or the use of crowns to repair damaged ones. Dentists use a variety of tools to create impressions so that the substitutes will fit properly. Impression trays help dentists create templates for bridges and crowns. Wax knives are sometimes used to carve models. Crown pullers help dentists remove caps or crowns that have been cemented in place.

Miscellaneous Equipment

Dental procedures need to be safe for both patients and dentists, so dentists typically wear disposable gloves and may wear masks and safety glasses. Dentists who administer nitrous oxide -- commonly called laughing gas -- must learn how to use masks through which the gas is delivered. Dentists learn how to mix cements for securing crowns and materials used for fillings. Rubber dams are sometimes used to isolate the tooth on which the dentist needs to work. Tips and pluggers help the dentist accurately place cement or pack a root canal. Some dentists employ computer technology in their practice, such as using a small camera to send images of the patient's teeth to a monitor. Dentists also use suturing equipment and suture scissors to remove stitches.

Salaries and Occupational Growth

As of 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that dentists overall had a median wage of $146,920 per year. Orthodontists and oral surgeons earned a median wage of at least $166,400. Prosthodontists, who specialize in making appliances, dentures and other oral prostheses, had a median salary of $118,400. The median annual salary for general dentists was $141,040. The BLS predicted that, between 2010 and 2020, an additional 32,200 dentists would be needed, representing a growth rate of 21 percent, well above the growth rate of 14 percent projected for all U.S. occupations.

About the Author

Jeffrey Joyner has had numerous articles published on the Internet covering a wide range of topics. He studied electrical engineering after a tour of duty in the military, then became a freelance computer programmer for several years before settling on a career as a writer.